Gorilla Cookies Vintage GT

*Sigh*

Stupid, stupid, stupid. That's all I gotta say. And it was all me.

My USB headset went flaky on lap 1. Tried opening its console up to switch off-on when I got to the main straight, but wandered off the track and hit some dip/rise and sent the car barrel rolling through the air and crashing back into the pavement. Managed to not collect anyone else, but ended up dead last. Surprised at no discernible damage, other than bent body work. Started pouring it on to catch back up. Managed to work back up to 10th by half race, and was within a couple seconds of 9th, with 8th just in front. But blew a brake point in the esses and smacked a wall. Flipped, ended up on the wrong side of it, but somehow was on my wheels. Managed to drive *though* the wall to get back on track... and again, no mechanical damage I could detect. Kept going, but couldn't find my previous speed. 9th was holding steady at 12 secs ahead. Blew my brake point in the esses *again* and tore my oil pan off when I sheared over one of the dragon's teeth. Engine dead. Another F'n DNF for me this season.

Was driving the Trans Am. Had top 5 speed, which surprised me, as I was counting on no better than 6th to earn needed points for Watkins. So I would have been content with the top 10 I was working back into. So pissed off at myself at the DNF... totally avoidable if I hadn't kept having brain fade.

And I now officially vote to never drive this version of Riverside again. The concrete tires sticking out of the ground are incredible stupid, IMO. There's another version of Riverside worth considering.

Ah well... see you all at Watkins. Finally!!! =)

Hehe, well Pete, you'll definitely have all the rental points you need :)

I was really happy to Q in 5th, that was my pb by a longshot. I was even happier (and a little surprised) not to get immediately run over once we got underway, since I was running hard (red) tires. I thought I would be practically immune from tire wear, but no such luck- keeping up with Bryce in the early laps was extremely tough on my fronts. I was astonished to be getting into the yellow after only 6 or 7 laps. Had fun watching Bryce and Sheldon cut it up for a while, then had my hands full with Gord in a Grp 5 Mustang. Didn't hold him off long, but managed to stay close behind for a long time. It was that balance thing I was talking about- Gord had it all over me on the straight, but I would close him up again on the other side of the track. Eventually Bill came through in his Falcon Mann, and I watched another good battle in front of me as I started fading further back. Nothing else to report, I don't think, stayed lonely and kept a healthy gap on Mark Peeler for the rest of the race.

great race

First off I was pretty happy with a 2nd place qualifying,
I went with the red dots in the race and its a good thing I did cause anything softer and I would never have been able to make it. I was running 2nd at the beginning and bryce got by me and we had a nice battle for a few laps and once I was able to pass him I was able to eek out a 10 sec gap or so and then going though the left right sections at the begining the rear stepped out going over the crest and I thought I was going for a flight over the wall. I think at one point I looked out my windshield saw sky and then dirt!. Bryce got by again and the battle was one once more. Was able to chase him down but it wasn't easy. Finally got by again with the extra speed out of the grp5 stang I was able to make up alot of time coming out of the corners and down I5 on the back section. Ended up 3 or 4 second up at the end of the race.

Good job on the win Rick!

Pete, I agree, one of those concrete tires did me in too! : (

Was having a ball battling with Bill, Barrett and Mark - great fun guys! : )

My race ended with me playing drift king exiting T7 - drifted myself right into the concrete tire and killed my engine! LoL

Can hardly wait for the next one, thanks for the cool racing guys.

Oh, I've mentioned this before, I have put in many laps at the Riverside club configuration in the 60's. I drove the IKF Enduro kart series there for several years. Glad I never hit one of those tires! LoL

Dan

Just one more thing...

Michael K., this is a great series, hope to join you boys for next season too! : )

Dan

Was great to get back to racing these pigs. Riverside was the perfect venue for these cars. I havd some great battles with a few poeple. My tires were shot at around 23 laps and I eventually looped it in the chicaine at lap 28 or thereabouts.

Congratulations to Rick on winning the season! I don't know how you make those slower cars go faster than better cars, but you sure can drive! Way to go.

Congrats to Sheldon on 2nd - that is quite a feat since I saw you in the dirt near the beginning as Miss Daisy and I passed you. Way to go. (I asked Miss Daisy to flash you as you blew by us, but she didn't want to distract you too much from the race).

It was a pretty boring race for me, driving the lemonade stand. It was worth it though because I should have enough points to get 2nd in the standings at Watkins Glen next week. Anyone want to donate 1 rental point so I can afford one of the 20 point Jag's? lol

I slid the car around a couple of times and whacked the wall too. I was surprised my car still ran. It wasn't easy keeping the wieners on the left side of the car, and the Gray Poupon on the right side during the race! Proper car balance is an essential part of racing you know.

Had a ball joining you guys. I tapped Dan O twice(Sorry Dan!) but waited for him and let him go. Then with my HP I was able to get back by after a great battle. Good racing with you guys and I will be back!!

BG

Hey Boy's, Nice racing!!! I qual'd 3rd with a PB here. Then I watched Sheldon do a nice lap to get me by .200. Rick is the King...Congratulations on a well run season with your car picks and rental points. Settle back and make sure the champagne, wine, beer, cheese and crackers are ready for the post party next weekend.
Had a very good battle with Sheldon most of the race. I was carrying more speed into the corners and he would gather me in off the corners and on the straights. I ran red tires and thank god I did. Anything softer would of meant a pit was needed. With 5 laps to go, I got the warning sign from the crew chief. At that point, I was 5 secs up on Sheldon. From then on, he was gaining about a sec a lap. He passed me with 2 to go and I kept him in my sights hoping for another bobble. He didn't bobble and I finished 3rd. 4th was knocking on the door the last lap, but too little to late.
Nice racing guys and see you at the Glen. WOOHOOOO

What can I say - I was driving a slow car and not driving it well. I hadn't tested enough to realize I would need to pit midway and get tires. I had forgotten what button on my wheel was 'Pit Request' hit Ignition, the car hiccuped briefly and in the momentary concentration lapse I hit the wall, end of race. Looks like I could have grabbed an extra point but in the end was somewhat happy to have the night over. Nobody need to have their race effected by my sluggish carcass. One more week of madness!!!